 Redcar Cubs travel to the South East this evening to face Boston in a Conference League challenge match to kick off a busy few days for Redcar Speedway. Tomorrow evening Redcar TLS Bears take on the Edinburgh Monarchs in their first Premier League meeting at the South Tees Motorsports Park, whilst on Saturday the South Tees will host a double header featuring both the Bears and the Cubs.
It has been an eventful couple of months for Jason Pipe and the Redcar Cubs. After putting together a strong looking side, the Cubs were rocked with blow after blow in a matter of days. Greg Blair breaking his leg whilst riding for Glasgow was a massive blow for the Cubs, as he was without doubt their star of the season the previous year. He had rose from reserve to top the averages and would have been eyeing up a place in a Premier League team towards the end of this season. Hot on the heels of that came the retirement of Ashley Johnson, Rusty Hodgson and David Wallinger. The loss of Wallinger was going to be particularly hard as he had ended the previous season well and big things were expected of him. Jason Pipe bought in highly rated Aussie Aaron Summers to replace Greg Blair, and a few days later David Wallinger changed his mind about riding to once again give the Cubs a powerful looking lineup. Boston will prove a very stiff challenge however, led by Simon Lambert and Joe Haines. Lambert has been riding fantastically for Kings Lynn (where Boston ride their meetings) in the PL and should go through the meeting without losing. Joe Haines is another fantastic prospect and last weekend qualified for the final of the British U21 Championship.
The senior side then take on a very powerful looking Edinburgh Monarchs side on Thursday evening, weather permitting! It has been a very frustrating start to the season for Glyn Taylor and Redcar, with two home meetings falling victim to the weather including last weeks meeting with Sheffield. Taylor in particular took a lot of stick for that postponement but in truth there was not a lot he could do after the 30 minute downpour that hit the track just before the start.
The Bears will welcome back James Grieves after his illness, but rider replacement will operate in place of the injured Chris Kerr. Edinburgh come to Teesside on a rich vein of form, and look one of the favourites to take the title already. William Lawson and Matthew Wethers in particular have been on fine form, and should give Josh Auty and Ty Proctor a run for their money. Much will depend on the reserves as to who will win this meeting, which promises to be very close indeed.
Then on Saturday evening, starting at 6:00pm the Bears will take on Sheffield in Premier Trophy action to be followed by the Cubs taking on Buxton in Conference League action.